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November 30, 2023, 7:16 pm
Last Updated on November 30, 2023 7:22 pm by Keith J. Varadi | Published: November 30, 2023
Injury Report
Portland Trail Blazers @ Cleveland Cavaliers
DraftKings Lines
POR +12 (-108), CLE -12 (-112)
Game score 218.5Key Storylines
Both Malcolm Brogdon and Scoot Henderson are back, with the former averaging 20.3 PPG and 8 APG over the past four contests and the latter averaging 9.7 PPG and 3 APG over the past three. The explosive rookie is clearly the future, but perhaps the steady-handed vet will continue to run the show as Henderson eases into playing in the big boy league. Meanwhile, Jerami Grant is the 19th-ranked player over the past two weeks, playing like an All-Star and averaging 25 PPG, 3.5 3PG, and 2.1 defensive stats per game. Who knows how long either Brogdon or Grant will remain on this roster or continue to produce like this, but if you’re a manager with them on your squad, just enjoy the ride for now.
All of the Cavs’ starters are finally healthy and playing together. Donovan Mitchell had two rough shooting games after returning from injury, but he followed those up with a 40-point masterpiece in a blowout win against the Hawks on Tuesday. In the same game, Evan Mobley finally made a three, but he also had 17 points, 19 rebounds, and an astounding seven blocks. Darius Garland still looks to be trying to find a rhythm, Max Strus has mostly been playing out of his mind, and Jarrett Allen seems to be coming along. The only other rosterable Cav is Caris LeVert, and he can get as hot as the Mojave and as cold as Siberia, so add and keep him with caution.
Stream of the Game
Georges Niang has strung together a few good games recently, so he’s probably your best bet. You could also try rolling the dice on Jabari Walker, Matisse Thybulle, Toumani Camara, or Duop Reath, but please don’t really expect much from any of them.
Detroit Pistons @ New York Knicks
DraftKings Lines
DET +14.5 (-112), NYK -14.5 (-108)
Game score 219Key Storylines
Everyone is waiting for the Cade Cunningham breakout season, but it’s kind of difficult to truly break out when you’re boxed in by a team full of non-shooters. For real, though: the Detroit Pistons are hands down the most poorly constructed team in the NBA. They may have hit a homerun with Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren is a beast on both ends of the court, but they’ve got a bunch of meh bigs and random veterans. Plus, Monty Williams seems to be doing the same thing to Jaden Ivey that he did for years with Deandre Ayton. If this squad loses tonight, that means they’ll go winless in November; these guys are pathetic.
The Knicks are doing a lot of what the Knicks tend to do. Jalen Brunson is looking like a scrunched-up superhero and Julius Randle is having a season full of peaks and valleys. But Mitchell Robinson has emerged as a force to be reckoned with and it appears as though RJ Barrett has learned how to consistently make shots. A new thing for the Knicks is Thibs isn’t playing all of his guys into the ground; the problem is he’s not giving any of Immanuel Quickley, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, or Quentin Grimes enough minutes. It’s not Thibs’ fault, though; what’s he supposed to do with this guard-heavy roster? Hopefully, he eventually figures out the rotation so that we can start to know who to favor off the wire.
Stream of the Game
Josh Hart just had a big game against the Hornets on Tuesday. Let’s see if he can do something similar tonight.
Charlotte Hornets @ Brooklyn Nets
DraftKings Lines
CHA +8.5 (-108), BKN -8.5 (-112)
Game score 222.5Key Storylines
LaMelo Ball is out with another ankle injury. First, the league makes him wear tape on his neck; now this? Mark Williams keeps chugging along, having a very, very good rookie season. And domestic abuser, Miles Bridges is picking up right where he left off, pre-suspension, currently sitting as the 33rd-ranked player in standard nine-cat leagues this season.
Royce O’Neale has been fantastic the past two games, knocking down six triples in each of them. But his minutes could dip with the return of Cam Thomas tonight. It’ll be interesting to see what Thomas’ role will be once he ramps back up. Will Mikal Bridges assert himself as the top dawg in Brooklyn, or will Thomas come back to jack up shots like prime Reggie Miller again?
Stream of the Game
O’Neale is questionable with a hip injury, but if he’s available, give him a shot. If he can’t go, try Lonnie Walker IV.
Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat
DraftKings Lines
IND +3.5 (-105), MIA -3.5 (-115)
Game score 238.5Key Storylines
The Indiana Pacers have the best offense in the league, led by superstar point god Tyrese Haliburton. They run and gun up and down the court, chucking from distance and dunking on fast breaks. Bennedict Mathurin has been struggling throughout his sophomore campaign, Myles Turner is having another quietly awesome season, and Buddy Hield is back in the starting lineup for now. On any given night, Aaron Nesmith can score 20 or Isaiah Jackson can block four shots. They have definitely become a must-watch League Pass team.
The Heat have been on fire after a sluggish start. Bam Adebayo looks like an All-NBA center, Duncan Robinson looks confident, Kyle Lowry looks rejuvenated, Josh Richardson looks at home, but most importantly, Jaime Jaquez Jr. looks like a draft night steal. The media keeps focusing on the Celtics, the Bucks, and the Sixers, but nobody should sleep on the Heat — Jimmy Butler has been known to make all three of those franchises weep.
Stream of the Game
Richardson, all the way.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls
DraftKings Lines
MIL -9.5 (-112), CHI +9.5 (-108)
Game score 226.5Key Storylines
Khris Middleton still doesn’t quite look like himself, which is a major concern. However, Brook Lopez has rounded back into form and is once again killing it in the club’s infamous drop coverage. The depth is still the biggest concern, but when you have Giannis Antetetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both healthy, most concerns seem relatively minor.
What can really be said about the Bulls that hasn’t already been said? This team is basically the basketball equivalent of the Cleveland Indians in Major League. I guess that makes Alex Caruso “The Wild Thing”? As a group, they are listless and lethargic. They might be the toughest team to watch in the league right now. Please blow it up already!
Stream of the Game
If Caruso or Coby White are on your waiver wire, grab them. If not, Patrick Williams has shown signs of life lately, so maybe try him? Malik Beasley is probably the only available Buck worth considering.
Atlanta Hawks @ San Antonio Spurs
DraftKings Lines
ATL -6.5 (-110), SAS +6.5 (-110)
Game score 248Key Storylines
With Jalen Johnson out for four-to-six weeks with a wrist injury, that means Bogdan Bogdanovic, Saddiq Bey, and De’Andre Hunter should all get increased touches. Those players are purposely placed in order of talent and importance. This could maybe possibly mean that Onyeka Okongwu might get a few extra minutes per game, but don’t get your hopes up. Despite shooting a miserable 39% from the field, Trae Young is still returning early fourth-round value. Dejounte Murray’s consistent and well-rounded game has him not too far behind his backcourt mate. Look for both guards to torch Murray’s old team.
Victor Wembanyama has mostly been playing as advertised — he truly is a freak of nature. Devin Vassell has shown flashes as a number-two option and Keldon Johnson is expanding his game, improving his playmaking skills. Some people hate on the Point Sochan experiment, but there is a very good chance it could pay off in the long run, and the Spurs clearly have no interest in sprinting. As has become common to say, Wembanyama will probably do something amazing you’ve never seen before every single game; however, someone on the Spurs is just as likely to do something idiotic you’ve never seen before in a game.
Stream of the Game
Whoever is available between Bey and Hunter would probably be a wise choice; if they’re both available, flip a coin.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
DraftKings Lines
LAL +5.5 (-112), OKC -5.5 (-108)
Game score 233.5Key Storylines
The Lakers followed up LeBron James’ worst loss of his career in a drubbing by the Sixers on Monday with a blowout victory against the sad-sack Pistons last night. James is listed as questionable with a calf issue, but he usually has the GTD tag before every game, so whatever. D’Angelo Russell scored 35 points on 77% shooting from the field yesterday. The likelihood of him replicating that performance in the slightest is about as slim as his chances of getting paid what he thinks he deserves. The Thunder’s defense is way too good to let D’Lo embarrass them like that.
Look for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to light it up and for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams to shoot better than they did on Tuesday. Josh Giddey’s alleged teenage girlfriend goes to high school about 45 miles away from The Crypt. How will that affect the SLOB WIZARD? We shall see…
Stream of the Game
Isaiah Joe is the guy to grab for this one.
Utah Jazz @ Minnesota Timberwolves
DraftKings Lines
UTA +12 (-112), MIN -12 (-108)
Game score 219.5Key Storylines
Last summer, Danny Ainge fleeced Tim Connelly. Rudy Gobert is back to his old defensive player of the year self and he finally looks comfortable and confident again. Regardless, Ainge still fleeced Connelly. Lauri Markkanen remains out with a left hamstring strain, and it will be a group effort to replace his scoring against the Wolves’ stingy defense.
Speaking of the Wolves, everyone is going nuts for them with them playing such smooth offense and nasty defense. Anthony Edwards fell hard on a dunk attempt against the Thunder on Tuesday and he’ll be out of tonight’s game. In the post-game presser, he joked about how Mike Conley would be getting a lot of shots with him out. The main beneficiary, though, will be Karl-Anthony Towns. It should be expected that he attempts to assume his old pre-Ant Man role.
Stream of the Game
Italian stallion, Simone Fontecchio, has averaged 3 treys and 12 points in three consecutive starts. There’s no reason to believe he won’t register a fourth consecutive start. We’ll see how he fares in Minneapolis tonight.
LA Clippers @ Golden State Warriors
DraftKings Lines
LAC +2 (-110), GSW -2 (-110)
Game score 227Key Storylines
The battle of the old dudes! If you like watching James Harden dribble and Draymond Green throw fits, you’re likely going to have a blast watching this one. Kawhi Leonard has been really good so far this season, but he hasn’t quite looked like himself. Paul George is arguably the best number-two option in the league, and he’s capable of being the number-one option whenever he feels like it. Steph Curry has been sensational, as per usual, but he’s had little to no help all season and Steve Kerr often looks like he’s out of answers. The Clippers have been a plodding, ancient machine for most of the season and the Warriors have been reckless and ineffective. Who knows? Maybe this game could be fun for people who aren’t fans of either team?
Stream of the Game
Is Dario Saric available? If so, he’s probably the obvious choice. Otherwise, if you need boards, go with Kevon Looney. And with both Chris Paul and Gary Payton II out, Moses Moody or Jonathan Kuminga might get some extra run. There are very few upside grabs from this game. Woof!
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Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Lives in Los Angeles, California
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